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October 2019 THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com
GUEST COLUMNIST
Reel perspective
STEPHANIE MEIER
Lessons learned while
Blackhawk Bank wading in a trout stream
Recently, my family enjoyed one of
our favorite vacation spots — a trout
stream. Although not for everyone, the
appeal of this style of vacation is multi-
faceted. This particular stream is in a
remote area, so there is no cell service
or cable. There is plenty of nature,
card games, swimming, fishing, good
eating and great sleeping.
It may come as a surprise to some,
but I’ve been a fly fisher for close to
30 years. Many years ago, I came to
realize that my fullest enjoyment
didn’t come from actually catching
fish, but from the solitude and time
for reflection. Over the years, this style
of fishing has also afforded me lessons
about life and business.
Here are a few. …
The first cast is usually
the most important.
A well-seasoned fisher knows that
casting a fly into an undisturbed pool
is likely to cause one or more fish to
rise. It can be advantageous to wade
into waters where others have not.
Lesson: The first impression can
often expedite the best probability for
success and there are opportunities
waiting in untouched markets.
Fishing is not the
same as catching.
I’ve literally hit fish square on the
nose with a lure only to have them turn
away. Fish have bitten the float indicator
and completely ignored the fly.
Lesson: Your presentation can
be flawless and still not produce the
desired outcome. The “catch” must be
in the right frame of mind to be part
of the equation.
Fish can’t bite on a fly
that isn’t in the water.
Sure, sometimes luck is a real
factor. The luck of being at the right
place at the right time, for example. In
fly fishing, however, it is only through
sheer perseverance and determination
that you learn how to cast the line,
position the fly, hook, run and safely
land the fish.
Lesson: We can contribute to
our own luck by putting ourselves in
circumstances for the best opportunity.
The same lure that was
successful today may not
catch fish tomorrow.
If one fly pattern doesn’t work, be
prepared to try something different.
Be willing to move locations or alter
your presentation, if need be.
Lesson: Nothing is guaranteed. It’s
important to appreciate the value of
change.
Know when your
tension is too tight.
High tension in your line can allow
a fish to break off. Too much pressure
on your mind can cause you to be
distracted and make it harder to get
the job done.
Lesson: Utilize all of the
instruments at your disposal, and take
care of yourself.
Appreciate every catch.
On the last day of my very first
trout expedition, I finally caught a
single, small, rather sad little fish.
I was somewhat dispirited. My
husband’s grandfather winked at me
and reminded me that my small fish
was better than the tree branch I had
caught the day before.
Lesson: Celebrate every success,
big or small.
Come prepared, but don’t
go in past your waders.
It’s important to respect your limits
— especially that of the water line.
However, just because you have chest
waders doesn’t mean you need to go
stomping into the stream chest-deep;
there may be fish at the near edge of
the brook that you’ve overlooked.
Lesson: It’s good to challenge
ourselves while respecting our
boundaries, and we won’t need to
apply every tool in our arsenal to
every situation.
Have your net and
stringer ready.
While being optimistic isn’t
guaranteed to catch you the big one,
there are scores of scientific evidence
to support the concept that having a
positive outlook contributes to good
health and can even draw more
positive experiences to you.
Lesson: Allow optimism to fuel
your passion. It’s okay to hope. In fact,
it’s good for you.
Henry David Thoreau is credited
with writing one of my favorite quotes,
“Many men go fishing all of their lives
without knowing that it is not fish
they are after.” Find the activity or
place that inspires your appreciation
and offers you the opportunity to gain
perspective. Then, pass it on.
Stephanie Meier is VP marketing &
communications at Blackhawk Bank.
The views expressed are those of Meier’s
and do not necessarily represent those of the
Rockford Chamber of Commerce.